At first everything was going great, I was excited and super motivated. I even thought we had already gotten past the difficult stage. But lately, I feel like we have gone backwards. My 2 year old has had several accidents and seems more insecure. Sometimes he tells me he doesn’t want to use the bathroom, and other times he just doesn’t let me know.
This has me worried because I don’t want to push him too much or make him feel like he’s failing. I’m trying to figure out if this is normal or if I should do something different to help him move forward without frustration. For now, I’ve started reinforcing routines and making going to the bathroom something fun, like reading stories or singing songs while I accompany him.
I’m also trying to be super patient, although it’s not always easy. I know every child has their own pace, but I wonder if I’m doing something wrong or if this is just part of the process. Has anyone else had something similar happen to them? How did you handle it?
Ugh, I totally get it. My 2.5 year old went through something similar, it felt like we made so much progress, then suddenly he’d refuse the potty out of nowhere. It was so frustrating, but I found that just taking a step back and not making it a big deal helped a lot. They really do get there on their own timeline. You’re doing great!
Regression is frustrating, but it’s a common part of potty training. It sounds like you’re on the right track with making it fun! Another thing to consider is checking for triggers. For example, has there been a change in his environment or routine? Even little things like a growth spurt can throw them off. If he seems stressed, giving him a “potty break” and focusing on other skills for a bit might help. When he’s ready, he’ll bounce back!
This is totally normal! Regression is super common at this age because kids are still learning how to process big changes or even small ones, like a new routine or a new sibling. One thing that worked for us was using a sticker chart. Every time my daughter used the potty, she got to pick a sticker, and when she filled a row, we did a small reward like a fun park trip. It helped make the process exciting and less stressful
Hey Leidy, hang in there! Potty training is rarely a straight line. My youngest regressed for a whole month before he suddenly “got it” and started using the potty consistently. I know it feels overwhelming, but you’re right, patience is key. You’re laying the groundwork for long-term success. 
As a mom of three, I can tell you this: every one of my kids had regressions, and they all came out the other side just fine. Sometimes they just aren’t ready, even if they seemed like they were at first. What worked for us was pausing for a week or two to take the pressure off. When we came back to it, it was like starting fresh but without all the stress. Trust your instincts, you’re doing a great job!
Regression is frustrating, but it’s a common part of potty training. It sounds like you’re on the right track with making it fun! Another thing to consider is checking for triggers. For example, has there been a change in his environment or routine? Even little things like a growth spurt can throw them off. If he seems stressed, giving him a “potty break” and focusing on other skills for a bit might help. When he’s ready, he’ll bounce back!